China has approved the world’s first invasive brain-computer chip—here’s what’s next

China has approved the first invasive brain-computer chip for human trials, enabling a paralyzed man to write. This milestone accelerates the global BCI race, potentially reshaping 2026’s AI economy by unlocking new neurotech markets, healthcare applications, and human-AI integration. Competition with Western firms like Neuralink will intensify, driving regulatory and investment shifts toward brain-computer interfaces.